I have just got back from walking my 10 month german pointer and I'm still recovering from the shock of thinking I'd lost her.  She has started racing off into the distance say 2 or more fields away(ignoring my calls and my whistle)and completely disappearing from sight for at least 5 mins and then suddenly reappearing from the totally opposite direction - she covers so much ground so quickley.  She started doing this with my husband a few days ago, today was my first experience and I am really shaken. I know it could be to do with her age but what can I do now - I am too worried to let her off lead again because it is bound to happen again but she needs her exercise.

This is a common problem with HPR breeds particularly as they have been bred to fulfil their title!  That is why it is so important with hunting breeds such as these and hounds to relentlessly train a recall from day 1 and continue to do so for some considerable time; they are rarely totally reliable under 18 months and after that the recall does need maintenance.  It is normally around 8 months that previously "obedient" and "well trained" puppies demonstrate that they are not :D

Really the only constructive advice I can give you is to put her on a 30ft line and practise recalls offering her some EXTREMELY tasty titbits.  Unfortunately HPR breeds tend to find the freedom of the hunt a lot more rewarding than food that is why you MUST make it a high profile training exercise.  One of the ways to help improve recalls is to take a dog to a strange area; they tend to be much more obedient in an unknown place; they get used to routines in your normal stampting grounds and think "I can catch up with her at Point B" (well that is what I think they think) :D

HTH

I know I have said it before on this forum but having no recall is a major cause of death in dogs.

The above describes my Elkhounds to a tee.  Same comments apply.  HPR and hunting Spitz really have similar jobs and have been bred for independance and being able to think for themselves, so they do!!!

Hi Matilda

Just a thought, has she had her first season yet? I ask because Maverick who is normally very solid on her recalls, tends to go deaf in the couple of weeks before a season and although she will come back does it in her own time (and so does not get as much free running at this time as the rest of the year)

Just a thought but have you joined the GSPC and attend their training classes? Your dog is doing what it was developed to do and that is to HUNT. Unless you control the behaviour asap, then you are going to have major control problems.

Hi Matilda, been there, done that and still wearing the T shirt! The 30 foot line is very useful and also channelling the hunting instinct through searching/tracking which can all be done on the end of a line until you get good control. I have a Pointer Plus who's disappearing acts are notorious on this board, always due to scenting rabbits/foxes/birds and going into the hunting zone where no whistle can reach!  Hes getting more reliable as he matures ( LOL) at 15 months but I had to confine him to an enclosed space/end of a line to develop control - and Im still at it! It is terrifying when they zoom off but they have good noses and will find you again. Im always  on the alert for flash points and find he looks, freezes then drops his nose before bombing off so I catch the look and divert him quickly. Playing hide and seek, recall- reward then release are a couple of the games we play on a walk. Keep at it and youll get there. :)

Thanks for the replies. I am going to try the long line and also reinforce all the discipline at home.  She hasn't had a season yet so there may be something in that - I'll watch out for that. And we have been taking her to the same place alot recently so I'll try to find somewhere else to take her to vary it a bit. She is OK off the lead if there is another dog to play with as she is so busy playing to think about running off.

Does anyone know of any HPR dog clubs in Yorkshire.